The National Republican Congressional Committee elevated 17 GOP candidates to "contenders" in its Young Guns program on Wednesday, identifying them as top candidates to oust vulnerable Democrats in November.

The "contender" designation is the second level in the Young Guns program, which seeks to provide organizational support to Republican House candidates.

"Contender candidates have completed stringent program metrics and are on the path to developing a mature and competitive campaign operation," according to an NRCC news release. "They are in congressional seats that appear favorable to the GOP candidate."

Any Republican House candidate can participate in the program, but only those who meet certain benchmarks are elevated through the ranks. The NRCC doesn't publicly list the criteria for advancement in the program.

The 17 "contenders" come from an initial pool of 36 candidates the NRCC identified in November. The NRCC says the other candidates from the initial pool still have the opportunity to advance through the program, and notes that these 17 contenders are part of the first wave of candidates to advance.